American History 1988
Chapter 226 - 220 Stakeholders

Chapter 226: Chapter 220 Stakeholders

"Dean, we need to take America back from the clutches of Washington’s corruption, ambitionists, and the alliance of campaign consultants."

"Look at the Washington and Capitol Hill now, filled with all kinds of scandals; look, they’re giving themselves a hefty raise again this year."

"If this continues, America’s politics and laws will only serve the rich. We should make those wealthy special interest groups step aside!"

Jerry Brown’s passionate declamation not only failed to pique Dean’s interest but made him even more drowsy sitting on the sofa.

Come on, I’m the rich guy you’re talking about!

You want me to step aside, isn’t this the same as a revolution against me?!

Right, what was he doing in the Pacific Heights of San Francisco today?

Dean propped up his chin and lifted his head while their former governor continued to expound his multitude of political views.

That’s right, he had accepted Jerry Brown’s invitation to visit his home.

But how could Dean not know? The visit was a sham, seeking support was the real deal.

But, a surreal moment occurred: the "Moonbeam Governor" was ranting about making the wealthy step aside while frequently smiling at Dean in a friendly manner.

He was hoping to get a bit of political donation from Dean, then prepare for next year’s primary elections within the party.

Ah-ha, taking my money and then turning around to start a revolution against me?

Dean couldn’t tell if Governor Brown was genuinely clueless or indeed "a man of temperament from the grassroots" as he was promoted.

"Dean, you come from the Rust Belt of Ohio. You must feel deeply about the injustices in America today, right?"

Under Jerry Brown’s attentive gaze, Dean managed to suppress the quirkiness on his face and nodded slightly, "Yes, I feel it."

Look, because he has money. He can afford luxury villas, the newest sports cars, and be lavish with the ladies.

"Yes!" Jerry Brown emphatically snapped his fingers, "We should give more opportunities to the young people from the countryside!"

Well, Dean finally understood why he was emphasizing making the rich step aside in front of him.

It turned out that in the eyes of our former governor, a country boy like Dean should resonate more with his political stance.

After all, only those who have struggled up from the bottom can understand the hardships of breaking through class barriers and the malice from the rich during this process.

Perhaps a sympathetic grassroots elite could be moved by political views like Jerry Brown’s.

But sitting in front of him was Dean Price, the refined egotist who only watched for fun and certainly didn’t think about saving America.

He was no longer the white trash struggling in the small town of Youngstown; he owned tens of millions of dollars and also had the Byte Company, soon going public, valued at billions of dollars.

So times have changed, dear Jerry Brown, I’m now one of those very few rich people you talk about.

I won’t become the spokesperson for the lower class, nor will I make it my cause; wealth is my sole interest.

Dean, who was lacking in interest, pondered an excuse to slip away.

If it weren’t for the former’s numerous calls and reminders from David Morgentaler, he wouldn’t be visiting here today.

"Dean, I think the tax rate needs reform too!" Seemingly noticing his distraction, Jerry Brown smartly switched subjects.

"Mr. Brown’s view is...?" Dean barely perked up.

Tax rates, a topic intimately related to the lives of the American people.

Especially during the election season, it’s also an important tool for politicians to win over voters.

"I believe the current progressive tax rate is very unreasonable. A fixed tax rate and value-added tax are the best solutions—for example, a 13% fixed tax!"

Uh-huh, Dean nodded noncommittally; at least this sounded good.

13%, that’s a lot lower than the current 20% capital gains tax.

"I will make it my governing promise; tax reform is urgent," Jerry Brown promptly offered his assurance.

"I sincerely admire your governance philosophy, but..."

"Dean, I heard you’re interested in Hollywood? I know many people there; I can introduce you to some friends."

Jerry Brown kept using various means to win over Dean; Hollywood was one of his advantages.

With Byte Company announcing this year’s IPO plan, there’s been an increasing number of reports about Dean.

And Jennifer Connelly, who has been seen with Dean on and off, naturally also appeared in the lenses of reporters.

Their relationship was practically an open secret.

Jennifer Connelly was photographed entering and leaving Dean’s villa more than once; in many people’s eyes, they were already living together.

Jerry Brown mistakenly thought Dean liked Hollywood actresses, and it just so happened that he had some resources in that area.

Dean snorted inwardly. If he wanted to spend a wonderful night with a Hollywood actress, it would be easy.

He had that confidence, and even if he couldn’t, he didn’t need Jerry Brown as a pimp.

Easy to leave himself vulnerable, not to mention, Dean wasn’t interested in them.

Those who could be pimped out held no attraction for Dean anyway.

Beep beep beep... Just then, the phone in Dean’s hand rang.

It couldn’t have come at a better time as Dean stood up apologetically with outstretched hands.

"Mr. Brown, I support your stance.

But as you know, Byte Company is quite busy now, so I might need to leave earlier.

However, rest assured, I will give you the support you deserve, just as the people of California once supported you."

Having said that, Dean picked up the phone, ready to leave the place. Political speeches that didn’t resonate were just too dull.

"Dean, I’ve heard you’ve got Irish blood, and so do I."

At the very end, Jerry Brown pulled out a set of talking points he had prepared earlier.

"What?" Dean almost thought he had misheard. When had the number of Irish-Americans in America suddenly increased so much?

"My father was half Irish; we should help each other out, Dean."

To gain Dean’s support, Jerry Brown had taken the time to learn about his background.

A country boy, which is why he had initially promoted political views about taking the wealthy down a peg.

His mother was Irish, coincidentally, so were Jerry Brown’s ancestors.

"OK, I get it, but I really have to go," Dean said as he shook the phone in his hand, "Let’s be in touch later."

Watching Dean hurry away, Jerry Brown let out a soft sigh.

He could see that this Silicon Valley figure was not interested in him.

But Brown had no choice, as all the media, including his party, had little faith in him.

Losing a lot of support, Brown’s campaign budget was stretched to the limit.

So, in a last-ditch effort, he launched a grassroots movement. The "make the wealthy step aside" statement he initially made to Dean was not a joke.

He was serious about doing it, and he had even made promises to voters.

He would only accept individual campaign donations, refusing any over a hundred US Dollars.

The slogan was thunderous, but the problem followed: the funds raised were too little, not even enough to shoot a campaign ad.

At this rate, let alone campaigning, it was likely that few people would remember him.

Therefore, out of necessity, Jerry Brown could only look to his Silicon Valley neighbors for ideas.

But he was not favored by Silicon Valley, never had been; nobody was willing to donate generously to him.

Therefore, Jerry Brown set his sights on the recently prominent Dean, who might become a billionaire that year.

Such newly wealthy young people are the easiest to influence.

However, from today’s meeting, it was doomed that Jerry Brown would be disappointed.

Indeed, no founder who had led a company worth nearly a billion US Dollars towards an IPO was simple.

...

Settling into his Porsche sports car, Dean mumbled a few words into the phone before hanging up.

It wasn’t about Byte Company’s business; it was Jennifer Connelly calling him.

But that did not matter, what was important was that he had successfully escaped from our "Moonbeam Governor’s" house.

Such encounters were awkward, and he would likely not come again in the future.

But for the sake of decency, Dean would still donate tens of thousands of US Dollars to him.

Let it be compensation for his calls for tax reduction and that uncertain trace of Irish heritage.

On this topic, Dean also quietly reminded himself that Irish solidarity only applied to those of value.

Not every person of Irish descent is worth courting; only those who can truly help you deserve unity.

The silver arrow raced down the road – sports cars truly suited America’s expansive plains.

Especially between well-developed San Francisco and Silicon Valley, he didn’t worry about suddenly encountering rough patches on the road.

Yes, as his wealth gradually swelled, Dean had started to indulge in luxuries like sports cars.

Money is only money when spent; otherwise, Dean couldn’t feel its presence.

Thanks to the increasing heat of the stock market, Dean’s investment in Cisco at the beginning of the year had valued it at 400 million US Dollars.

But now, in nearly half a year’s time, it had appreciated to 600 million US Dollars.

Look, the more than ten million US Dollars Dean initially invested had already ballooned by 1.5 times.

In such an America, Dean was too busy loving it to even think about overturning it.

As a beneficiary, Dean hated Jerry Brown!

...

"Dean... I still have filming to do later..." Jennifer Connelly struggled to get up.

"Wait..."

"Why?" Jennifer Connelly, panting, gave him a seductive glance from atop the soft velvet blanket.

"I’m headed to the East Coast soon; I might be away for a while."

News had already come from Morgan Stanley; they needed Dean to personally make a trip to Wall Street.

"Billionaire, ah?" Jennifer Connelly recalled the recent news reports.

"Yeah~ let’s talk one more time about doing business on a hundred-million scale."

The next morning, before the sun even rose in California, Dean was already on a flight to New York.

Byte Company’s IPO underwriting plan was about to come to fruition.